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Monday, December 14, 2015

Shout-Out: Rolene Strauss, Miss World 2014

I waited for 23 years to see this moment!

First day as Miss World

Homecoming - with her "second mom"

It only took 23 years of waiting, rather impatiently I must
admit, but in the end it was definitely worth the wait. On December 14, 2014 it
finally happened in London, England. I started following Miss World at the age
of eleven way back in 1991 and since then I have been a fan and follower of the
Miss World Organisation. South Africa has always been more successful at Miss
World than Miss Universe, but we usually just came close without actually
taking the top prize (well, in my time). Year after year I felt disappointed and
thought to myself, “Oh well, maybe next year!”

Then a very special lady with the name of Rolene Strauss
came along. I had been following her since the days when she entered Miss South
Africa 2011 and I knew there was something special about her.She was only 19 at the time and I could see
that, although already spectacular at the time, she had not even yet reached
her full potential and that was super exciting. My comment on “If I were a
judge: Miss South Africa 2011” for Rolene was: Rolene is absolutely stunning. She has a look
that reminds me of the look the Miss Universe Australia judges have been going
for. She might be a bit too young for the title this year, but I really want
her to come back in about 3 years from now and win the crown!!! She would do
really well internationally. If she wins it all this year, I would be over the
moon.

First trip to Sanya

In the Philippines with Miss World Philippines 2014 and Miss World 2013

Well, Melinda Bam took the title in 2011, and Rolene went
back to her medical studies. But she did not give up on her dream of becoming
Miss South Africa. Three years later, she came back. She was still just as
gorgeous, but something was different. She had this newfound confidence and
self-belief and the few extra years of life experience made her even more
appealing than the first time around. She was the runaway favorite and despite
the fact that fans saw two great contenders in the form of Rolene and
Ziphozakhe Zokufa, it was quite evident that it was Rolene’s year and that
nothing would prevent her from becoming Miss South Africa 2014. Her dream came true
on March 30, 2014. Rolene won Miss SA and captured the hearts of fans not only in
her home country, but around the world. Immediately fans started saying she
MUST win Miss World or Miss Universe.

Rolene fulfilled her duties as Miss South Africa with grace
and class. She always looked radiant and remained humbled and focused
throughout her year. Her humility and kindness made her a well-loved and
respected public figure in South Africa. As the year progressed, it became
evident that Miss World would happen before Miss Universe and she started
preparing to represent South Africa at Miss World and perhaps within a few
weeks after that at Miss Universe.

In Sri Lanka with Miss World CEO, Julia Morley

At the crowning of Miss South Africa 2015

In India

On November 21, Strauss jetted off to London, England to
join more than 110 other beauties with a dream similar to hers, becoming the
next Miss World. From before she even arrived in London until the 14th
of December, she was the clear favorite. She was the ONLY favorite. It was not
just her exquisite beauty, intelligence and her sweet demeanor that made her a
fan favorite. There was a beauty that radiated from her soul. She never tried
too hard and exuded a sense of serenity that set her apart from the rest. She
was truly just in a class of her own.

The 2014 edition of Miss World was probably the longest one
ever for me. I knew that if it didn’t happen that year for South Africa, I
would probably never live to see a South African capturing this title. I
believed in Rolene, but you can’t help but feeling anxious and apprehensive
because you never know what the judges are looking for. I knew she deserved it
and that she would be an amazing Miss World, but I had been disappointed so
many times before. December 14th seemed endless. And worst of all, I
actually had to stay up until almost midnight here in Shanghai, waiting for the pageant
to start.

In London

In Spain

At the crowning of Miss World America in Washington, DC.

From the moment I saw Rolene taking the stage, I knew it
was going to be her night. She looked so calm and radiant – she was positively
glowing. You just know when someone has that belief in what was meant to be will
happen. It is probably this sense of inner peace that made her look so
radiant. It was almost as if you could sense that this would not define her life and that winner or not,
she would achieve something special because this was all just part of a greater
plan. When she used the word meaningful in her answer, I knew the title was
hers.

Then came the moment when Julia Morley took to the stage to
make the big announcement of the night. And when she uttered the words: And
Miss World 2014 is SOUTH AFRICA, I had goosebumps all over. I still don’t even
know how to describe that feeling. I was just so happy that a South African
finally won Miss World again, but most importantly someone who was so
beautiful, so charming, so graceful and someone who truly deserved it. The
most beautiful moment was when she walked towards Megan Young to be crowned, and you could see Megan’s joy and excitement for a girl who had become her friend.
Rolene only briefly lost her composure and it gave us a brief glimpse of the
excitement and joy that she was experiencing at that moment. It was well after
midnight, at about 2 am, on a Monday morning when I could go to bed for 3 and a
half hours before tackling another 10 hour work day, but this was one time when
I knew that pure happiness and adrenaline would carry me through a whole week.

In Mexico

A moment of jubilation with her proud parents

In Jamaica

Her win made headlines in South Africa. It was all over the
television, radio, newspapers and magazines. South Africa had a new queen and
the nation was celebrating her victory. Rolene made a triumphant return to
South Africa a week later. She was now a household name and thousands of
well-wishers and fans turned out to support her. I can only imagine what must
have been going through her head: excitement, joy, apprehension, fear?! Still,
she was completely composed and determined to let her country share in her joy.
Always humble, always kind, always sincere, always Rolene.

That’s pretty much how her reign went too. She impressed
people in every country that she visited – from India to Indonesia, from the
United States to Jamaica to Sri Lanka to China. Her beauty, grace, humilitygroundedness, kindness towards her hosts and fans
and compassion made her a Miss World you wanted to follow and it never faded
throughout the year. In fact, as she embarked on her travels, she just became
more and more beautiful, charming and enigmatic.

I was watching some of the Behind the Scenes videos of Miss
World 2015 last night and kept looking at her in the clips wondering “What is
it about this girl that makes her so different?” I have pretty much given up
trying to define it, but I guess it’s that perfect combination when inner
beauty meets physical beauty with the added bonus of someone who is completely
sincere and aware that this is just the stepping stone that has prepared her
for a lifelong commitment: a commitment to her passion and purpose. Yes, Miss
World is only the beginning for her. What comes after this title will be even
greater. She is going to become a wife, probably a mother, but also a doctor.
She will be a caregiver and nurturer and use that to help the people of her
community and country. I think the most beautiful thing about Rolene is that all
the qualities that made her such a fantastic Miss World title holder are 100%
real. She has the grace, she has the elegance, she has the inner beauty and she
has never and will never have to force it or fake it. It’s just ingrained in
her DNA. She had massive shoes to fill having followed after Megan Young, but
she did so and exceeded my expectations, leaving a very tough act to follow for
the next Miss World.

With her parents and fiancee D'Niel at the South African of the Year Awards

When I take my place in the audience on Saturday night, I
will be filled with excitement and pride. It will be the third time that I
attend, but this time will be extra special as this time I will watch a fellow
South African taking the stage as the reigning Miss World to crown her
successor before she embarks on the next stage of her journey.

Rolene, you have represented yourself, your family, your
friends, your country and the world beautifully this year. I couldn’t be more
proud of the way you carried this title and the way you handled yourself as
Miss World. With the help of Werner, you always looked exquisite but there was
so much more to it than that. It is the woman you are and the one who you want
to become that made you so special and unforgettable. I have waited for 23
years to see a South African hold this title and I want to thank you for giving
me so many to reasons to feel so proud and happy during the last 12 months. The
next part of your journey awaits and I want to wish you all the luck in the
world. I know you will achieve great things and I know that you will always be
a true beauty with a purpose. I will be bursting with pride this Saturday night
and I will remain a huge fan of yours.

Wishing you lots of love, happiness, laughter and light –
now and always.